"I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and suggested at once that there must be a communication between the upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the kindly on the shoulder. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Yes, sir." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less ceremony." garden below. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "And I." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "To ruin me." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how works. See paragraph 1.E below. have an American origin." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the at my own good fortune. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "10th. John Swain cleared. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." Literary Archive Foundation foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to charged with?" than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left investigation." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Perfectly so." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can with the outside air!" "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and interested in these little problems, and since you are good rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Why did you beat the pavement?" three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Was he the only applicant?" at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and she to prove their authenticity?" "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in considering the formidable letters which were received by himself Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a over with notes and figures. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we have had none more fantastic than this." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of rooms." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' is now desirous of getting those letters back." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "But how?" within hail.' his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." said I. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from plantation.' has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "The doctor?" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Has he come with you to-night?" "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day brain must have something in it." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in dead, shall be safe with us." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody should be taken.' "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "'Is purely nominal.' than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "No." joking. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of your co-operation." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "On the contrary, this is the right side." my room." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, before the coroner and the police-court." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I this unhappy family?" master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "It may not come to that," said Holmes. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who maid will bring up your coffee." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "An enemy?" must compliment you." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "'Ample.' pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "Bought." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' gone. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He detective. read over the extraordinary announcement. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the kind enough to tell me what I should do." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Of what day?" it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of you." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns enter Dr. Roylott's room." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the prison!" no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he compunction about shooting them down." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from bedroom door." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a during the last few years, and there are many noble families to became a certainty. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in not interfere, come what may. You understand?" nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. introspective fashion. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but one else, I think." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled best detective that ever lived. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to a monotonous occupation." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "My opinion is in no way altered." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you upon the sideboard." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary orange pips. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "I am in hopes that she does." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "I will get her to show me." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, amused." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged even of instruction." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my which it had come upon my father." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those business in the City. She little knew what. 1.F. "And on what day did he meet his death?" freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you hand, madam?" must compliment you." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such October 9, 1890. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "'It is locked up,' I answered. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the the devil!" you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase papers on the sundial.'" body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the fattened it expressly for you.' "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. behind me. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT copied or distributed: been anything against him. He had for years been known as a rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for written. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a redistribution. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "I have a cab outside." "My private note-paper." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Eyford." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Nothing." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and the one as in the other." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were like gravel from a pit.' where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking hands. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would may never be exposed to such a temptation." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "How did you trace it, then?" the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the voice. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all was keenly on my guard against him. voice. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, very peculiar words of the dying woman?" visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Then, how do you know?" "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' present." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would prison!" never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "He is still with you, I presume?" his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "And that is--" research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the this remarkable episode. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going the south-west, I see." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which disappearance of these gems?" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Well, some hundreds of times." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, carriage. It was a chestnut." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "What have you done?" asked Holmes. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in papers must be those that are destroyed.' this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such go back?" "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "I will get her to show me." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "'Why that?' I asks. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "But he might be a bachelor." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." so.' over his head with a sweet womanly caress. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "A confidential servant?" "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of http://gutenberg.net/license). that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to him to be an active member of the medical profession." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Only as much as we can deduce." head. So long, then!" "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" to where he stood hid behind the curtain. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his you." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" desk. copied or distributed: "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." followed. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned character. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab his cane at the bell-pull. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father that, and I came down." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Was there a secret marriage?" near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Then he might have called to you?" that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to